The Role of Community Pharmacists The New Medicine

The Role of Community Pharmacists The New Medicine Service and Inhaler Technique Wale Abimbola, Pharmacist 1

The New Medicine Service (NMS) • Community pharmacy Advanced Service • Provides support for patients who have been started on a new medicine • Pharmacist reminds the patient what the medicine is for, why it is important, how it should be used etc • Pharmacist reinforces the messages that have been given by the GP/practice nurse • Patient can ask further questions • Improves medicine adherence • Delivers better outcomes Carried out in a private consultation room 2

Eligibility for the NMS • New medicine for the management of a LTC • COPD and asthma are included: – Adrenoceptor agonist – Antimuscarinic brochodilators – Compound bronchodilator preparations – Corticosteroids – Theophylline – Cromoglicate & related therapy, leukotriene receptor antagonist, phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitors 3

The COPD Guideline and the NMS The COPD guideline Review patient and ensure correct inhaled therapy option, in line with the GOLD grade Switch non-formulary inhalers to formulary inhalers Device/medication change Re-check correct inhaler technique 4

The NMS process Patient prescribed new inhaler for COPD Referred by GP or practice nurse to community pharmacist OR Identified by community pharmacist as having a new inhaler The NMS Patient engagement 5 Intervention Follow up

Inhaler technique • Inhaled medications are the cornerstone of COPD management • Good inhaler technique is essential • Evidence suggests that many patients are unable to use their inhalers effectively – lowers drug deposition to the lungs – wastes medication – poor disease control & reduced QOL – increased emergency hospital admissions and higher treatment costs 6

Inhaler technique (2) Guideline Placebo inhaler devices Patient information leaflets Inhaler technique videos https: //www. westsuffolkccg. n hs. uk/test-page/ 7